o GT reports on how a constable took a cyber cafe employee for a ride ... and molested her. (GT/W)

o No threat to govt, says Rane (Govadoot, Marathi)

o Common Entrance Test to have 100% weightage in Goa (Govadoot)

o 14th century hero stone found by Laxmi Gonsalves. (Govadoot)

o Goa University has announced its MBA 2006-08 program.

O Churchill Brothers finish third in Federation Cup. (NT)

o Reconstructed Holy Trinity Church Benaulim being dedicated.

o DR SURESH AMONKAR, academician and former councillor: "The municipal administration is in a total mess. Perhaps I might have used a strong word. But as it is being said that the people get the government they deserve, so Goans deserve the government they are getting from grass-root level bodies to the state level. This is more so because we have not really understood the meaning of a democratic way of life."

o Cloudy, cool and pleasant day in Goa. Min temp 23deg. Night humidity 67%.. It has rained some evenings over the past fortnight. Bangalore, Chennai and coastal Andhra (in Goa's neighbourhood) had torrential downpours over the past seven to ten days.

OCTOBER 29, 2005

o 100% weightage given to Common Entrance Test. Goa Government has announced 100 percent weightage to the Goa Common Entrance Test (GCET) marks for admission to professional colleges. There will be no negative marking and the questions will be based on the Goa Board syllabus for Standard XII (Science) for the academic year 2005-2006. (GT)

o 1021 trainees of job scheme to be retained for one year, says Rane.(NT)

o PETS GETS LEASE OF LIFE: In what could be described as a reprive, the State government has decided to continue with the Pre-Employment Training Scheme (PETS) for one year. However trainees under the scheme will not be directly absorbed but will have to apply and compete along with others to fill Government vacancies. Sources disclosed that the government had initially proposed to wind up the scheme, until it faced opposition during a cabinet meeting. (H)

o Prime Minister may visit Goa on Nov 5. (NT)

o I clear files of all ministers without delay, says CM. (NT)

o GOAN OBSERVER: Parrikar's puppet: The perception is that Pratapsing Rane is a puppet dancing to the tunes of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, writes Rajan Narayan * Town and Country Planning Ordinance is using a route (the power to promulgate ordinances) meant to be used sparingly and in an emergency. What was the emergency to amend the Town and Country Planning Act 1974 is not known to anybody, writes Adv Cleofato A Coutinho * One people, one language, one script -- Adv Uday Bhembre's talk at the XCHR is reproduced in full.

o GOANETTER MIGUEL BRAGANZA writes a back-cover article titled 'Press and Credibility' in the North Goa Plus Diwali Special Issue. He writes of the Arun Sinha case: "Perhaps the shocking part was that another 'senior journalist' from another publication in another language and another script assisted the little girl (who complained she was sexually abused by the Navhind editor) to file the complaint." (North Goa Plus)

OCTOBER 28, 2005

o Margaret Alva to take up Mickky Pacheco issue with Congress high command. (NT)

- Alva rubbishes Mickky's protests. (H)

o Congress panel gets upper hand in Margao council. (NT)

o BJP panel has edge over Cong-backed group in Mapusa. (NT)

o Victoria claims support of 2 more panchayats for stir against North Goa Planning and Development Authority. (NT)

o Mala (Fontainhas) vandals face teh law. Four chargesheeted. (H)

o GT campaign nails Karmali & Co on nameplate fracas. (GT)

o CHARGESHEETS were filed against Goa RSS chief Subhash Velingkar's son Raju, the State's former body building champion Datta Palekar, school teacher Vilas Satarkar and veteran freedom fighter Nagesh Karmali in connection with the June 18, 2004 incident. A mob under the banner of the Mala Nagrik Kriti Samit, lead by Mr Palekar, had organised a programme on Goa's Revolution Day, in a bid to rename Panjim's roads. Proominent among them was Principal Vilas Satarkar, brother of the then Goa Legislative Assembly speaker Vishwas Satarkar. Slogan-shouting activists did away with two boards that bore the names of the roads. In Fontainhas, they went on a rampage, damaging name plates in private property. Indulging in vandalism, the activists armed with hammers, pickaxes and chisels smashed porcelain tiles and chiseled out names -- perceived as pro-Portuguese -- from walls. It was then clarified by the Freedom Fighters' Association that the move was not to replace names of Portuguese origin, but those who opposed freeom from colonial rule. The case that was closed by the then Manohar Parrikar government has now been reopened by the Congress. (H)

o JOY OF READING: Goans in North America (GINA) have launched a project 'Joy of Reading' initiated by Nirupama Bale. Gina has invited suggestions at www.goansinnorthamerica.com GINA has decided to extend this initiative all over Goa, which will not only include promoting the reading habit in children but all relevant activities related to children's welfare. (NT)

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